Valve assembly

Abstract

A valve assembly for creating a seal between a valve stem and a valve housing includes a valve housing having a first end wall, a second end, and a peripheral wall extending between the first and second ends walls such that a lumen is defined. Each of the first and second ends has an opening extending therethrough and into the lumen. A valve stem has a first end extending through the peripheral wall and toward the opening in the first end wall. A plate is attached to the first end of the stem. The plate is positionable over the opening in the first end wall. A sleeve is positioned in the housing and extends over the stem. The sleeve is positioned in the housing and extends over the stem. The sleeve is attached to the peripheral wall and the plate such that the sleeve is closed off from the lumen.

I claim:  
     
       1. A sealed valve assembly comprising: 
       a valve housing having a first end wall, a second end wall, and a peripheral wall extending between first and second end walls such that a lumen is defined within said valve housing, each of said first and second ends having an opening extending therethrough and into said lumen, said valve housing having a bend therein such that a first section and a second section are defined, said first section being orientated generally perpendicular to said second section, said first section abutting said first end wall;  
       a valve being positioned in said valve housing and being adapted for selectively opening and closing said opening in said first end wall, said valve comprising;  
       a valve stem being elongated and having a first end and a second end, said valve stem extending through said peripheral wall of said second section such that said first end extends toward said opening in said first end wall;  
       a plate being located in said valve housing, said plate having a first surface and a second surface, said second surface being attached to said first end of said valve stem;  
       a sleeve being positioned in said housing and extending over said stem, said sleeve having a first end securely attached to said peripheral wall and a second end attached to said second surface, said sleeve extending through said perimeter wall such that said first end of said sleeve is coupled to an exterior surface of said valve housing to inhibit said sleeve being inadvertently separated from said peripheral wall when said valve stem is actuated;  
       wherein said stem is extendable into said valve housing such that said stem urges said plate against said first end wall and closes said opening in said first end wall.  
     
     
       2. The sealed valve assembly as in  claim 1 , further including a plurality of guide rods each having a first end attached to an inner surface of said first end wall and a second end extending away from said first end wall, each of said guide rods having a second end having a bulbous member thereon, said guide rods extending through said plate. 
     
     
       3. The sealed valve assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein said first surface has a convex shape such that an apex is defined, said apex being extendable into said opening in said first end wall such that a seal may be formed by said first surface and an edge of said opening in said first end wall. 
     
     
       4. The sealed valve assembly as in  claim 2 , further including a plurality of biasing members for biasing said plate away from said first and wall, each of said biasing members comprising a spring positioned one of said guide rods, each of said springs being positioned between said first end wall and said first surface of said plate. 
     
     
       5. The sealed valve assembly as in  claim 4 , wherein said first surface has a plurality of depressions therein, each of said depressions being positioned for receiving one of said springs. 
     
     
       6. The sealed valve assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein said sleeve is corrugated and being positionable between an extended position and a retracted position.